TODAY'S MESSAGE: The Pagami Creek Fire remains at 92,682 acres and is 71% contained. Greg Peterson's Minnesota Incident Command System (MNICS) Type II Team took command of the fire at 6:00 this morning. There may be increased smoke in the area as fire activity increases somewhat with higher temperatures and wind increase over the fire area.

ACTIVITIES TODAY:

· On the West and Northwest portions of the fire crews will patrol, mop-up existing lines and back haul unneeded equipment.

· On the Northeast and East portions of the fire, line construction will continue as well as patrol and mop-up of previously constructed line.

· On the Southern portions near Isabella, mop-up and rehabilitation of dozer line continues.

· On the Southwestern portions, line construction will continue.

· Crews around the fire will be checking outside the line for hot spots that are expected to show up with the warmer weather.

· Several camps are being moved to locate crews closer to their assigned activity areas.

· Air resources will continue to provide support to firefighters on the ground.

WEATHER: Dry and warm weather with increasing winds is forecast over the fire through the week. Temperatures today should be in the mid 70s with winds out of the southeast at 5 to 10 mph with gusts to 15 mph.

AREA/ROAD CLOSURES: The Superior National Forest has reduced the closure area around the Pagami Creek Fire. Some areas that have been reopened include Snowbank Lake, North Kawishiwi River, and Bald Eagle Lake. A small portion of the BWCAW and national forest lands remain closed. To see the updated closure, please visit www.fs.usda.gov/goto/superior/home or www.inciweb.org/incident/2534.

The road closures still in effect form a continual route from west to east. The closure includes the following roads and areas: FR 377D from the intersection of FR 377 (Tomahawk Rd) to the BWCAW boundary (Bog Lake Access); FR 377 (Tomahawk Rd) from the intersection of FR 377D east to FR 379; FR 379 south to the intersection of FR 369; the area north of FR 369 between the intersection of FR 379 and FR 356 (FR 369 is OPEN); FR 356 northeast from the intersection of FR 369 to FR 1244 (Coffee Lake Access); FR 1244 south to the intersection of Lake County Road 7 (CR 7); All areas west of CR 7 from the intersection of FR 1244 to FR 354 (CR 7 is OPEN); FR 354 north to the BWCAW boundary (Kawishiwi Lake Access).

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: The Superior National Forest has lifted all campfire restrictions. For more information, please visit www.fs.usda.gov/goto/superior/home.

LOCATION: The fire started approximately 13 miles east of Ely.

CAUSE: Lightning

DETECTED: August 18, 2011

RESOURCES: There are currently 530 personnel assigned to the incident. Resources include: 10 hotshot (Type 1) crews, 2 Type 2 crews, 3 engines, 4 dozers, 1 water tenders, 3 camp crews and other personnel. The following air resources are available: two Type 1 helicopters, three Type 3 helicopters, and three Beaver aircraft on floats.

I'm the Marketing Director, Catalog Director and Webmaster at Piragis Northwoods Company and the Boundary Waters Catalog here in Ely, Minnesota on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. We specialize in lightweight canoes and camping gear and have been serving our community and the worldwide community of paddlers since 1979. We know our stuff because we get out there and paddle. We are passionate about canoeing and wilderness.

The purpose of this blog is to share knowledge that will enhance your next camping experience, specifically in the BWCA. It will be a place to share trip stories and pictures, routing information, the most current USFS information, camping tips, BWCA conditions, gear reviews, and book reviews to name a few.

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